Why study in Switzerland, what need to be done

When some of the most wonderful countries of the world are counted, Switzerland will come among the top 5. The beauty of this country is its natural beauty and the sweet surprises the country has in store for you. As much as you would love the Swiss Alps, you will be enchanted by the famed Swiss chocolates and cheese.

Of course, you must also have heard about the classy Swiss watches. But besides these, the country is well-known as an educational destination. Switzerland is home to some of the best universities in the world, appearing on top of world rankings.

There are some very attractive reasons to choose Switzerland to study abroad. In fact, Switzerland is a major attraction in the field of education in Europe. It has universities like École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and ETH Zurich ranked 43^rd and 14^th on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.

Do you know that the country has 4 spoken languages? These are German, Italian, French, and Romansh. If you know any of these languages besides English, you will have a definite advantage, especially when you have plans to stay in the country for longer than 3 months.

It will be interesting to look at why Switzerland is a great destination for international students who want to study overseas.

A beautiful country

Switzerland is a prominent tourist destination in the world, thanks to its amazing natural splendor. With heavenly landscapes and enchanting natural beauty, this country is an experience worth it. So, if you are here to study, the natural beauty adds relaxation and motivation to your academic sojourn.

World-class education

As demanding is Swiss education, so rewarding is it when it comes to building a future with it. Educational institutions in Switzerland offer the best academic training. The country’s proximity to countries like Germany and France gives a distinct advantage of access to career opportunities in Europe.

Besides, Swiss universities are highly ranked and recognized at the world level.

Rich social and cultural background

With many attractive festivals and carnivals that give excellent opportunity to socialize, international students discover splendid instances of the European cultural scene in Switzerland. The cultural events are great opportunities for students to relax and mingle with the Swiss locals.

The most famous events in Switzerland are:

• International Balloon Festival
• Paléo Festival: the country’s largest open-air festival
• Montreux Jazz Festival, the biggest of its kind in Europe
• Basler Fasnacht: the largest Swiss carnival

Scholarships

If you are applying for a university in Switzerland, you could as well apply for scholarships in advance. If you get a scholarship, it will assist you in meeting the fee expenses and/or save money. Some scholarships cover college fees and other expenses, other scholarships cover living expenses.

IMD MBA Scholarship and Swiss government excellence scholarships are good examples of scholarships international students can use.

Studying in Switzerland could be a costly affair and getting a job right away may not be easy. But the country allows international students on Switzerland study visa to stay back for 6 months within which they can find a job in the country. Also, students can work up to 15 hours a week.

So, if you have plans to migrate to Switzerland, you should know how to obtain a student visa in Switzerland.

Who needs a Swiss student visa?

Students from the EU won’t need a student visa in Switzerland. But such a student must register with the local RRO to get a residence permit. The permit must be obtained within 14 days of arriving in Switzerland.

Non-EU students must apply for Visa D (a long-stay visa) that grants multiple entries into the country from a swiss embassy in their home country. The countries that have an exception to this rule are Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, and Malaysia. The nationals of these countries will have to apply for a residence permit prior to arrival in Switzerland in case they are planning on staying longer than 90 days.

Where to apply for a Swiss student visa?

Depending on your place of residence, the Swiss Federal Department of Justice and Police lists out the following places where an application for a Swiss student visa can be submitted:

• Applying for a visa online
• Applying at a Swiss representation abroad directly
• Applying at the representation of another Schengen State
• Applying with an external visa service provider

Timeline for visa issuance

The normal time taken for Swiss visa issuance is 6 to 12 weeks. The cost of processing comes to €60.

The documents required

• A valid passport (must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned duration of your stay)
• 4 recent passport-sized photographs
• A CV
• Proof of course fee payment
• Proof of language skills (Courses in Swiss institutions may be delivered in languages like French, German, or English)
• 3 completed application forms for Visa D (long-stay visa)
• Proof of sufficient funds (Scholarship, bank statement, etc.)
• A letter of acceptance from your chosen institution
• A written commitment that you will leave Switzerland once you complete your program
• Proof of health insurance
• A motivation letter (I.e. a personal statement in writing in which you declare the reasons for desiring to study in Switzerland)

For original documents, submit copies. You may also be asked to submit or bring along additional documentation. You may also be asked to attend an interview. Contact your nearest embassy for any inquiry regarding the document submission requirements or the process.

Is working while studying permitted?

Students from the EU/EEA region can work part-time for up to 15 hours per week during the term of study. Students from other countries can work six months after beginning their studies. But their employer must obtain a work permit for you. Students can stay up to 6 months after completing graduation, in which time they can seek a job.

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Note:

RRO – Residents' Registration Office